Novels by Mary Simmons

Did you like it?”Micheal blinked, realizing that Anna was still talking to him.“I’m sorry,” he blinked again, trying to focus, “what did you say?”She smiled, not seeming to sense his distraction. “Sophia said you went to college in New Jersey. Did you like it there?”“I did,” he managed to say, even though he could feel the other woman’s eyes still on him.He stole a glance in her direction. She was still watching him, her light blue eyes, almost eerily pale, direct and unblinking.Who was she?“… I didn’t know how I’d like it here, because it’s a really small-town. And aside from the occasional bout of loneliness, I have really liked the change. Small towns are all that people say. Everyone knows each other. And people care about each other, help each other. It’s really nice.”Micheal nodded again, realizing that Anna probably thought bobbing his head up and down was the extent of his communication abilities. And at the moment, it was. Again, he caught a glimpse of the pale-eyed w

Micheal was only half listening to the conversation going on around him , He had thought tonight would be okayThe bar was a place he’d never been, so it shouldn’t bring up memories. But the location wasn’t the problem.Maybe at some other places , it definitely was at times, but tonight, it was the company.He glanced up at the man sitting to his right. Robert Anderson, his best friend growing up. Robert had changed very little, maybe a bit thicker in the middle, broader in the shoulders. But he still had the same easygoing nature and a dry sense of humour. And he still had Sophia, his beloved wife.He glanced at Sophia, Robert’s wife for… was it five years already? Sophia looked the same, too. Maybe a little more mature, more refined too.An image of Sophia and Beverly immediately flashed through in his mind. One brunette, the other was blond, both had ponytails. They’d been as inseparable as he and Robert had once been. As all four of them had been. They’d always assumed they’d sta

Arabella got down from her bike and heeled down the kickstand of the motorcycle just as the rain started to pour heavily around her. She parked the large black bike which looked much bigger than her very close to the building to avoid the bike being beaten by the heavy rain. She walked towards the bar in quick and long strode, loosing the chinstrap of her helmet and pulling it off immediately she got to the entrance of the bar and stepped in. She looked around , she was trying to find her brother or his wife. At the second scan around the bar, she located him walking towards the counter and he entered behind the counter . He poured a mug of beer from the tap. The sight still gave her chills. Cassius, Her beloved brother, Her family. The family she thought were gone, the family she thought she'd never see again. The fact that the once wealthy brother she remembered now tended a bar just made the scene more like a fantasy Hey Arabella, he greeted her as soon as he saw her, wi

Dustin let out a muffled cuss word while holding his breath. He had intended to tell her pack where she was as a gesture of goodwill, but now he had every intention of crushing the brute who was responsible for the women's suffering. "I inquired as to what she meant, and her response was, You know, get a hobby or something."It was her intention to flee. I didn't become aware of that until after she had been gone for a few weeks. Lowell covered the fact that she had fled, most likely in the hope that he would locate her before anybody else found out that she had permanently abandoned him."Akila, he will not harm you again in any way. I promise. Who is Anton, then, if Marcus was your pack leader and Lowell was Asta's mate?Akila's eyes became much more open. "My dear brother. What do you know regarding him?"Your leader told Deputy Sheriff Smith from Green Valley that he was looking for you," "Anton's a pack leader?, Where?”"Portland, Oregon."; "Portland.""Did you tell him that I

Dustin's entire body went numb as he stared at the letter that Asta had written. He couldn't believe what he was reading. He read the note once more, this time concentrating on deciphering the underlying message that she was trying to convey.He got up from his seat and left the dining room after finishing his meal. How was it possible for him to be so oblivious? The woman he'd mated had feelings for someone else? Who? He'd kill him.Dustin couldn't recall entering his office or sitting down at his desk when he got there. He stared at the letter for a moment, and then, grabbing it in his fist, he yelled, "Lucas!"Lucas strolled into the office while wearing a bewildered expression on his face."Get Akila in here right away."Lucas's brows furrowed, and he hastily nodded before shutting the door behind him.Mike came in a minute later, his eyes widened as he walked in. "Dustin, what's the matter? Lucas claims that you are prepared to murder someone. Do you want me to listen in on the c

Thank goodness he had reliable brothers.Lucas, his laughter gleaming in his eyes, shook his head. "Should we tell everyone on guard duty that Akila sometimes goes out at night?"Mike furrowed his brows."What did I miss exactly last night?"Even though Dustin was sure Mike was aware, he pressed him for additional information.Which he had no intention of doing. He started to say something, but Mike and Lucas had already turned from the living room to the front door. Dustin turned around and saw Akila with her legs and feet exposed and her hands locked as if in prayer, his long flannel shirt going to her thigh.He started staring at her hair, transfixed by the enticing waves.He could not take his eyes off of her gorgeous, silky hair.Her hair is even more crimson than her sister's, yet not nearly as golden as the woman's in his dream. How could he not see that she was the one he was meant for? Because Asta lied about having a dream and because she changed their names.“Ahem.” The magic

Like Mike does when he's too exhausted to sleep, sleepwalking. Mike claims she made a lot of noise while sleeping I was wondering where she was going," Lucas said. That's why I let her out of the guest room, he said.Dustin quietly put the rifle away again. Akila made her way to the bed cautiously.His preferred sleeping position. His mouth became very dry. She drew back the duvet.After returning Lucas's gaze, the latter shrugged. "Mike sleepwalks, and the doctor warned us not to wake him up. I suppose we can can say the same thing for Akila."Dustin rolled over to make room for Akila to enter the bed. She closed her eyes as he pulled the blanket up to her chin."Guess you have guard duty for the rest of the morning."Lucas walked out with a sly grin on his face and locked the door behind him.Akila couldn't recall much besides leaping onto Crassus's back to protect Asta's face from Crassus's fist. Crassus's blow to Akila's head, followed by the sting of his retaliatory twist of her

WHERE IN THE WORLD HAD DUSTIN LEARNED THE NAME OF HER BROTHER? Akila wanted to ask, but she couldn't . It is preferable to leave Dustin unsure of who her pack leader was. Did he have any idea where Anton was at the moment? Perhaps Laura would, provided Akila asked innocuously enough. Right.Akila feigned to be asleep when Dustin talked to her. She felt compelled to depart and seek revenge for her sister's death. There was a growing possibility that Marcus would find her if she stayed any longer. Dustin would probably tell the leader what happened to Akila and her sister. Honorable bearing.Marcus would then make her go back to her house.Two hours later, Dustin left the room and, for once, didn't leave a guard inside. After getting out of bed, she began to pace. She needed to find out if her folks were still alive. But how could she accomplish anything when he constantly guarded her?Up the stairs, someone ran. "Are you staying with her for a couple of hours?"Bryan enquired.“Yeah."

Dustin started to speak, but stopped when Mike yelled from the bottom of the stairs, "Keep it quiet down there, that's a lot of noise". To her suprise, Dustin walked over to her and touched her forehead before feeling her cheek with the back of his hand. Clearly, there is no fever. Although he appeared to be somewhat relieved, the furrow in his brow did not disappear. By tomorrow morning I think I'll be just about ready to run laps.A slight grin appeared on his face. Couldn't say that I'm shocked if that happened. He didn't move, just hovered over her, leaving her to wonder what he was up to. He took a quick peek at her still-full water cup. Once again, he was staring directly at her. Inquiringly, "Do you need anything?" Nope, thank you.All right, all good then. He opened his mouth to speak, then closed them again. Whatever it was that bothering him, it was now beginning to bother her. He was standing motionless on the carpet by the bed, and she guessed he was there to questi

Damon remarked calmly, as if a war between New York and Chicago wasn't about to start, "I didn't intend disrespect. But Freya is no longer under your care. The moment you declared her my fiancée, you forfeited your right to punish her. She is now under my control." Father bowed his head and cast a quick glimpse at the ring on my finger. The other guys in the room began to relax a little as Damon released his grip on his wrist, but they didn't put their guns away. "That's accurate." He took a step back and pointed at me. "If so, would you enjoy the privilege of making her see sense?" I stopped breathing as Damon 's stern glare landed on me. "She didn't defy me," Damon said. Father's lips became drier. "You're correct. However, in my opinion, Freya will be residing in my home until the wedding, so I'll have to find another means to get her to follow me because honor precludes me from raising my voice in her face. He struck Gianna again while scowling at her. "Freya, your sister wil

The men went to the lounge after dinner to drink, smoke, and talk about anything else that needed to be talked about. I went back to my room, but I had trouble falling asleep.I eventually changed out of my jammies and into a bathrobe.I snuck out of my room and down the stairs. In a moment of madness, I entered the path that led to the lounge's hidden door behind the wall. My Grandfather always believed that because the family's males typically met in the office and the fireplace lounge, it was essential to have hidden exits in both locations. After the males had all escaped through the hidden passage, I questioned what he believed would happen to the ladies.Gianna was staring intently through the door's covert peephole when I discovered her. Of course, she was there already. When she saw me, she turned around with her eyes wide but unperturbed. "What is happening there?" I was afraid the men in the lounge would overhear us, so I spoke in a low whisper. I was able to look through

Mother pulled at the outfit that Father had picked out for the event. For what Gianna referred to as the meat show. But no matter how hard Mother pulled, the dress didn't lengthen. I cast a doubtful glance in the mirror at myself.I had never worn anything so exposed. The top of the black dress, which clung to my butt, waist, and upper thighs, was a glittering golden bustier with black tulle straps. "Mother, I can't wear that."In the mirror, Mother caught my eye. Her hair was pulled back and put up; it was little darker than mine. She was dressed elegantly in a floor-length gown. I hoped I could do anything that simple. She hushed, "You look like a woman." I shuddered. "I appear to be a hooker.""Hookers can't afford such a dress."Father's mistress owned clothing that was more expensive than other people's monthly car payment. My mother grabbed my waist with her hands. "Your legs look incredibly long in the dress, and you have a wasp waist. I have no doubt that Damon will value it.

No matter how badly I wanted time to pass more slowly and allow me more time to prepare, the last few months had passed far too quickly. It will be my engagement celebration in two days. Mother was busy running the household staff around and making sure everything was running smoothly. Not even a large party was held. We were the only ones invited, along with Luca's family and the families of the leaders of New York and Chicago. Umberto said it was for security purposes. It was still too soon after the truce to risk inviting hundreds of people. I wanted it to be completely scrapped. I couldn't care less if I didn't meet Damon until the wedding day.On my bed, Fabiano leaped up and down while pouting. He was only five years old and far too animated."I want to play!" "Mother does not want you to run through the house".For the guests, everything must be flawless."But they're not even here"I say. Please God. Luca and the other visitors from New York would show up the following day. I

I was reading on the chaise longue in our library three years ago when a knock sounded. Liliana's head was on my lap, and she didn't even move. Our mother's dark blond hair was pushed back securely and fastened in a bun at the back of her head as she entered through the dark wooden door. Mother's face was furrowed with stress, and she was pale. "Did something happen?" I askedShe grinned, but it was a fake one. "Your father requests a conversation with you in his office." She said. I laid my book down on the chaise after carefully stepping out from under Lily's head. She pressed her legs close to her body. Although I was just five feet four, I wasn't particularly tall either, and she was little for an eleven-year-old. In our family, none of the women were. As I approached Mother, she averted her eyes. "Am I in serious trouble?" I was unsure of what I could have done wrong. Lily and I were often the ones who followed regulations; Gianna was the one who consistently disobeyed rules

As I raised my hands, my fingers shook like leaves in the wind, and my heartbeat quickened to the rate of a hummingbird. When Damon grabbed my hand in his strong hand, he held it firmly and steadily as he placed the ring onto my finger. Damon is a very steady and powerful hand. Twenty very little diamonds are set in white gold. What other couples took to be a manifestation of their love and commitment was, in reality, nothing more than a declaration of his ownership over me. A constant reminder of the shiny gilded prison in which I would be confined for the rest of my life. It wasn't just a meaningless phrase to them, unlike the vows of so many other couples who entered into the sacred bond of marriage willingly together . There was absolutely no way for me to get out of this marriage. I was Damon's until the very end.It is possible that the last few words of the oath that men had to swear when they were initiated into the mafia might have just as easily been the last words of my w